David Jamieson, the West Midlands police and crime commissioner, neglects to mention the role of the police and the nature of their interaction with young people as a trigger factor in increased antisocial behaviour (School closures and job losses in UK ‘could lead to social unrest’, 5 February).
Between April and June 2020, West Midlands police conducted 500 more stop and searches than the previous year, despite lockdown. Far from being a response to antisocial behaviour, most were under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. If, as Jamieson says, some people “are going to lose it” after lockdown lifts, it’s likely that one of the trigger issues will be the alienation that ensues from being policed as if your presence in society represents a problem per se.
We also would do well to abandon the notion of criminality as something people are seduced or coerced into. Criminality is a simple mechanism of survival and acquisition of capital. It is sometimes the best option available. We need to consider what that fact says, not about young people, gangs, drugs etc, but about society.
Nick Moss
London
